Your 2016 Somerville Youth Softball Organization (SYSO) Girls Fastpitch 10U Champions, the Somerville Hurricanes.

By Bob Schofield

The last softball game of the 2016 Somerville Youth Softball Organization (SYSO) Girls Fastpitch 10U Championship series was an epic battle between two great teams; Somerville Hurricanes vs. Somerville Cyclones.

Both teams, Somerville Hurricanes coached by Chris Grover and Somerville Cyclones coached by Paul French, played hard over the previous two evenings to tie the series one game apiece.

The perfect backdrop to what would ultimately become one of the best played 10U softball games in Somerville’s past. To not have been at Trum Field that evening was to have missed a game that could not have been scripted. This is what fans of softball and baseball dream about.

In order to follow along, one needs to know some of the rules of this specific game. No new inning may commence after 1 hour and 45 minutes (official game start was recorded at 6:18pm). Once the last out is recorded that is the time of the beginning of the next inning, not when the pitcher pitches the ball. Both teams are entitled to have their respective time batting in each inning, unless the team with the lower number of runs bats and does not advance in the scoring, when the time limit is reached or the number of official innings are completed.

Now for the game highlights, as best as this eyewitness can put pen to paper. Heading into the top of the 4th inning, the Somerville Cyclones are down one run, 6-5. Coach French advanced runners into scoring position but was unable to record a run.

Now it is the bottom of the 4th inning. No new inning can start after the 1 hour and 45 minute time limit. Current time: 7:53pm. The time limit comes into effect at 8:03pm. Having averaged 20 minute ½ innings per team, getting 3 outs in less than 10 minutes is next to impossible.

Coach French hustled his team onto the field, choosing to forego pitcher warm ups. Coach Grover of the Hurricanes brought up his middle part of the lineup. Current time: 7:55pm. The first batter swings at the first pitch and hits to the pitcher, over to first for the first out. The second batter swings at the first pitch and hits to the pitcher, over to first for the second out. Current time: 7:58pm. The next batter swings and misses. The second pitch is a ball. The third pitch is hit deep to left-center field. Seemingly out of nowhere Nora Donovan of the Cyclones catches the ball to record the final out of the 4th inning. Current time: 8:00pm.

The game goes to the 5th inning and the Cyclones get another chance to take the lead. The Somerville Cyclones record 6 runs to take the lead 11-6. All the makings of an unbelievable comeback victory, with one exception: The Somerville Hurricanes get their last at bat. Coach Grover, composed and in control, works the middle of his batting order.

With one out, the Somerville Hurricanes load the bases. The top of the batting order comes to the plate and two runs score on walks. The next batter gets a single and brings in one more run. The score is 11-9, Somerville Cyclones.

With two outs, bottom of the 5th inning, no time left in the game, down by two runs, Nikki Grover hits the ball and in a flash runners begin to advance around the bases towards home plate. Two runners cross the plate, tying the game and other runners are still running. Rounding third, the ball is thrown home: safe! The Hurricanes are winners!

You had to be there to believe it. At one point there had to be nearly a hundred spectators and fans watching the conclusion of the game. Adult softball players watched on as they prepare to take the field, along with several passersby on Broadway, family and friends sitting in chairs and on benches.

It was a great atmosphere for all that witnessed an amazing game played by age 10 and under girls. Not a dry eye could be found amongst the Somerville Cyclone players – in nothing less than great sportsmanship – as the team and coaching staff stood on the third base line watching Somerville Hurricanes celebrate their win on the infield.

Our hats off to Coach Paul French and Coach John Donovan for setting the example of why great sportsmanship is so important and for proving that positive coaching makes everyone a winner. Coach Chris Grover, Coach Mark Buckley and Coach Chris Bartlett did an absolute amazing job coaching their team to a 2016 10U Championship win. Congratulations!

Connect with Somerville Youth Softball Organization – go to www.SomervilleSoftball.com – www.SomervilleBabeRuth.com – https://twitter.com/SYSoftball – https://www.facebook.com/Somerville-Youth-Softball-Organization-372539262757402/ and show your support!